Wednesday, December 10, 2008

BellaVitano

A new line of cheeses created by the master cheese makers at Sartori Foods in Plymouth, Wis., are capturing some serious attention these days by cheese buyers, judges and people like us who just like cheese.

The now award-winning line of Sartori Reserve BellaVitano artisan cheeses (a bunch of them won medals at the World Cheese Awards in Ireland this past October) combine the rich and fruity creaminess of young cheese with the appealing crunch that only comes with premium aging.

Think of the rich, craveable taste of an aged, premium Cheddar, balanced by a full-flavored Parmesan, and you have this uniquely delicious artisan cheese. I picked up a a half a pound for a friend who was having a dinner party and she called me the next day, practically so happy she was crying. See what I mean? This cheese moves people.

And, the news just keeps getting better – four new distinctive BellaVitano varieties are now available in both wedges and wheels.

Raspberry BellaVitano. This premium cheese won Best New Cheese and Best American Cheese at the 2008 World Cheese Awards in Ireland. It is soaked in New Glarus Raspberry Tart Ale to bring out fruity notes. This is my new favorite cheese. I could literally sit and eat this cheese until I get sick. It's that good.

Black Pepper BellaVitano. Created for the most discerning cheese enthusiast, this variety is coated in cracked black peppercorns. It won a Silver Medal at the 2008 World Cheese Awards.

Merlot BellaVitano. Soaked in fine Merlot for hints of berry and plum, this extraordinary cheese carries a pleasing flavor and texture.

BellaVitano Gold. Inspired by a traditional Italian farmstead cheese, Bella Vitano Gold combines the fruity flavor of a premium Parmesan with the creamy smoothness of fine Cheddar. It won a Gold Medal at the 2008 World Cheese Awards.

These cheeses are becoming available at more and more stores across the country, so I would really encourage you to ask for them. The raspberry and merlot - especially for their color and table presentation - will make really excellent holiday cheeses.

Thanks for this review, which I just stumbled on. I tasted the raspberry Bellavitano last Saturday at a local cheese shop, and there are no words to describe how much I adored it! I almost cried, too—and the "cheese guy" at the store said that he did cry when he tasted it! Of course I bought a wedge right away, and it's going to have to be in my house at all times.

I Love, Love, Love this cheese. A local market in town that I occasionally walk to sells it. They are known for putting out samples of fresh and new cheeses and produce. I tasted it one day and it was "love at first taste" I'll have to admit I went back for more. They served it with a Thick vinaigrette, but I love it just the way it is! I actually was craving it today and picked some up!!!!! If you haven't tried it... It's a must!

The raspberry bellavitano is delicious; but my wife and I just rave about the espresso bellavitano - slightly warmed on toasted wheat crackers - just perfect for a warm afternoon coupled with a good porter, stout, or merlot. I see quite a few other flavors on their website that look enticing as well - I will have to add them to the X-mas list......

We have had this cheese with a number of red wines. It seems to be the most versatile in complementing a wide variety, more than any other hard cheese we've sampled. It's my wife and my favorite cheese. Highly recommended!

We have had this cheese with a number of red wines. It seems to be the most versatile in complementing a wide variety, more than any other hard cheese we've sampled. It's my wife and my favorite cheese. Highly recommended!

Just brought home some of the Gold. I couldn't put my finger on the flavour. And stumbling upon this site it hit me....not toasted butter, but butter toffee. I definitely have to try the Raspberry. I wish they had the others at my store.

The Cracked Black Pepper is my favorite cheese of all time. I usually eat it with some Carr's black pepper water crackers. I grew up not far from where this cheese is produced in Wisconsin, and ate it regularly. So I was VERY happy to discover a gourmet grocery near me in my new home of Las Vegas that carries the full BellaVitano line from Sartori. I'm going to go get some later tis afternoon, now! :)

I found this Bellavitano in 2013, quite on accident, espresso is my favorite, I dream about it..thank goodness there isn't a cheesealiser test or legal limit, I would have surpassed the fine stage of punitive recourse and be sentenced for life!

About Me

Jeanne is a cheese geek and an American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional. She's worked as an award-winning journalist, has served as spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, and was pivotal in the development of the Dairy Business Innovation Center, a non-profit widely credited for helping reinvigorate the Wisconsin dairy industry in the 2000's. Today, she works as the Specialty Cheese Buyer for Metcalfe’s Markets in Wisconsin. In addition, she serves as executive director for Wisconsin Cheese Originals and the Wisconsin Artisan Cheesemaker Guild. You'll find her byline in a variety of food magazines. Her motto is: Have Fun. Do Good. Eat Cheese.